12:40 Leopardstown

Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder

Harry Derham had success winning a listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in December with Washington and he now brings over QUEENS GAMBLE (best priced at 9/2) for this listed mares’ handicap hurdle. Previously trained by his now Assistant Trainer Oliver Sherwood, she was a high-class bumper horse who was thought good enough to contest the Champion Bumper that season. She lost her unbeaten record over hurdles when 2nd in the valuable Gerry Feilden Handicap Hurdle at Newbury which was her first run for 336 days.

The handicapper has raised Queens Gamble 5lbs up to a mark of 135 which is fair and that means she runs here off top weight in this contest. Rachael Blackmore gets on board for the first time which is no negative at Leopardstown and she can provide her young trainer with another successful raid.

15:00 Musselburgh

The Tony Martin trained HAMSIYANN (best priced at 7/4) was an impressive winner at Cheltenham on his reappearance and he should relish this step up in trip. The progressive five-year-old beat Long Draw by 2 1/2 lengths last time off a mark of 111 and that rival has since boosted the form with a victory at Cheltenham and is now rated 9lbs higher. 

Hamsiyann runs here off a 10lb higher mark and it is likely he will need to win this qualifier in order to get into the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham festival. 

16:25 Leopardstown

Future Prospect was an impressive winner at Fairyhouse in December but I was blown away by the performance of AMEN KATE (best priced at 5/1) at Listowel in September. The Tom Cooper trained mare was winning the same bumper as her dam Augusta Kate did in 2015 and she did it in great style by 7 ½ lengths under Patrick Mullins.

A well backed 15/8 favourite, Amen Kate beat the reopposing Carrigmoornaspruce that day and that rival has since boosted that form with two victories since. This race has been the target since and she can win this before heading to the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham festival.